Apple removes Alex Jones Infowars podcasts from iTunes in latest blow for controversial conspiracy theorist
The radio shows violated the company's policies on hate speech, Apple suggested
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Your support makes all the difference.Alex Jones' Infowars radio shows have been removed from Apple's podcast platform, marking the latest in a series of damaging takedowns.
The controversial TV and radio host – who has endorsed conspiracy theories including the idea that many mass shootings are faked – has now been banned from just about every major tech platform, severely limiting his reach.
After receiving punishments from YouTube, Facebook, Spotify and more, Apple has removed his podcasts from its platform. That means that he has been removed from the dominant platform for publishing podcasts.
Apple doesn't host the shows itself, instead running a directory for users of its built-in app.
It said in a statement that Jones had been removed from that directory because of his "hate speech", and suggested he had violated guidelines intended to keep users safe. It made clear that it allowed a wide variety of views in its podcasts app, but that those people needed to be "respectful" of those with differing opinions.
Jones has not commented specifically on the ban by Apple but has released angry statements in response to the other takedowns. In the most recent of his tweets about the furore, he said that the US had adopted a censorship policy akin to China's.
Technology companies have faced a barrage of criticism for continuing to support Infowars podcasts, which have been used to spread a range of conspiracy theories and false news stories. Jones himself has suggested the Sandy Hook massacre never happened, for instance, and has attracted criticism over segments in which he appeared to threaten Robert Mueller.
Apple's moves comes after Spotify also removed Jones's podcasts from its streaming service. That followed outrage from customers who pointed out that Spotify, unlike Apple, actually hosts the podcasts on its platform and is very selective about which are chosen to be available.
“We take reports of hate content seriously and review any podcast episode or song that is flagged by our community," a Spotify spokesperson said. "Due to repeated violations of Spotify’s prohibited content policies, The Alex Jones Show has lost access to the Spotify platform.”
Only one InfoWars podcast is still available on Apple's platform, and that is not hosted by Alex Jones. 'Real News With David Knight' appears to be staying on Apple Podcasts.
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